Stalwart Vietnamese group Saigon Sisters are officially branching into Thai food today with the opening of Bang Chop Thai Kitchen in the near West Loop. Steps away from their flagship restaurant on Lake Street, Bang Chop, the group's fourth restaurant, should give area food enthusiasts and travelers at the nearby Ogilvie Transportation Center a needed option for affordable, fast casual, BYOB Thai food, a cuisine style thats been viable in Chicago for many years.
Customers will order "iconic Thai dishes" from a counter before settling into one of 30 seats, including counters up against front corner floor-to-ceiling windows that give the space lots of light. Wood and earth tones are the decorating style of choice, visible on bamboo-paneled walls, tables, and floor tiles.
Executive chef Matt Riordan is sticking with Thai dishes that most people know: Basil chicken, pad Thai, green curry, et al. Read through the menu below (without pricing—dishes run from $3-15.)
Bang Chop Thai Kitchen, 605 W. Lake St., (312) 285-2800, open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., lunch service begins Dec. 16.